National Leadership Challenge Weekend

Step 1:

Complete the NLC online information form. Your registration will not be complete until we receive this information.

Step 2:

Once you have filled out the information forms, please pay your program fee for NLC Weekend. (Payments must be made by credit card. You will receive a receipt confirmation via email; if you have difficulty registering, please call 706-864-1918).
Program fee is transferable to future program sessions, but is only refundable if the program is canceled due to weather.

Step 3:

Parents, please complete the required participation and medical forms.
Important – Students will not be allowed to participate if these forms are not filled out.

• National Leadership Challenge Participant Forms (PDF)
• National Leadership Challenge Medical History and Release Form (PDF)
• Waiver and Hold Harmless Agreement (PDF)

Step 4:

Download the NLC Packing List and Reporting/Departure Instructions (PDF)

Step 5:

Complete payment
Call 706-864-1918 

Step 6:

Check your email periodically before NLC Weekend for any communications regarding National Leadership Challenge. 

Note for Parents:

Your student may travel to and from NLC Weekend without you. If you decide to accompany your student, you are invited to attend a presentation by the Director of Cadet Admissions on NLC Weekend, and programs and opportunities available for Cadets at the University of North Georgia. This includes admissions standards, cost to attend, and scholarships and other means to pay for college. The presentation will take place in the Pennington Military Leadership Center (same place as NLC Weekend check-in) at 1800 hrs (6:00 p.m.) on Friday night.

Day One: Friday

1400-1700: Report for in-processing at Military Leadership Center (MLC)

1800: Parents Brief at MLC

2100: Legacy of Gold Ceremony

Day Two: Saturday

0800-1200: Rappelling and Rope Bridges at Camp Frank D. Merrill

1200-UTC: Obstacle Courses at Pine Valley

Day Three: Sunday

0830-1000: Exit surveys for Young Americans at Hoag Auditorium

1000-1100: Out-processing and Departure at MLC

Looking for one of the most memorable weekends of your life? Want a taste of the leadership development activities that you will experience as a Cadet at UNG? We're looking for those students who want to find out more about themselves so they can more effectively lead others - both now and in the future.

The Corps of Cadets is nationally recognized for its leadership development programs and hosts a National Leadership Challenge Weekend each semester.

If you are interested in UNG, we want to give you the opportunity to experience the physical leadership development activities in which you will participate if you enroll in the Corps of Cadets.

We will assign you to a small team and evaluate your group on how well you accomplish problem-solving and team-building activities. As you maneuver through obstacle courses and solve problems, you will learn to trust your teammates in a way you've never counted on or trusted anyone before.

Current UNG Cadets who have already accepted the Challenge will be there to mentor and guide you!

This exciting opportunity is offered only twice a year (fall and spring), and space is limited to 200 students.

You will sleep in rustic, 16-person cabins on bunk beds (see below). Men and women will occupy separate cabins. The cabins are at Camp Wahsega, a 4-H Camp owned by the University System of Georgia, approximately one mile from the Mountain Ranger Camp, and about ten miles from campus. 

• In order to attend NLC, you need to be a high school sophomore, junior, or senior.
• You should be on a college preparatory curriculum and have at least a 81 numerical grade point average or a 2.8 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

NOTE: Current college students who are looking to transfer to UNG can attend National Leadership Challenge. They must have applied for admission to UNG before they attend NLC. 

NLC is a physical program, and you must be in reasonable physical condition to attend. NLC activities vary from semester to semester, and may include activities such as rappelling, basic military tactics, obstacle courses, and leadership reaction courses.

If you have any questions, please contact us at cadetrecruiting@ung.edu or call (888) 413-9366.

* Students may not participate if they have severe asthma, mild asthma is acceptable. 

"I just wanted to take a moment to thank you and the Corps of Cadets for putting together the fine program at the National Leadership Challenge.  My son has previously attended this program and this time my daughter, who is a junior, wanted to go through the program.  I know she was a bit nervous about the program since the majority of the attendees were males.  However, she reported that the student Cadets were great in making her and the other females feel welcome and part of the program.  She really bonded with the Sgt who was with her at Camp Merrill as she was able to tell my daughter about the medical and nursing programs at UNG.  They even exchanged phone numbers in case Madison had questions in the future about coming to UNG and being a cadet.  Madison was also pleased that the other attendees in her squad listened to her input on the challenge course, so she was pleased that she could assert leadership without being written off as “just” a female.  All in all I can say that your school, its cadets and the National Leadership Challenge have made a lasting impression on her."
...from the parents of a past NLC participant 

"Honestly, I had no idea what to expect... but North Georgia has exceeded my expectations and more. The picture of North Georgia on-line can't possibly describe how beautiful this place really is. Both the people and the Corps of Cadets have really impressed me this weekend."
...from a past NLC participant     

"My son ... attended NLC this past weekend.  When we picked him up on Sunday morning, he could’t stop telling us about all he got to do over the weekend.  He loved the weekend, and has put North Georgia as one of his top picks for college.  What a beautiful setting!!  He is currently a junior.  He was very impressed by the Corp of Cadets.  I just wanted to tell you what a success the weekend was."  ... a mother of a past NLC participant    

"I dropped my son off at NLC this last Friday. We stayed for a few minutes while he checked in. I took advantage of the opportunity to ask some of the Cadets about Cadet life - laptop vs. desktop, what's a good bank... I have never been so impressed by a group of young people. They were all energetic, articulate and motivated. They did a terrific job with the logistics of registration and getting everyone to chow. That's all I saw - I wanted to stay, but my son said I had to leave. I was thrilled that my son was going to North Georgia before I dropped him off, but I cannot describe how excited I am after meeting the people he will be going to school with."
...from the Father of a past NLC participant 

"My son was at the National Leadership Challenge this past weekend. He was also accepted to North Georgia this week! We are so proud ... (my son) gave the Veteran's Day speech at the high school. I wanted you to know what an impact it had on him. He came home and changed his speech to include his experience at NLC. He received a standing ovation and a phone call at the school from a truck driver that heard it on the radio and tracked him down. He expressed his gratitude and told him how much his speech meant to him and the other drivers at the truck stop. Thank you for giving my son the weekend of a lifetime, and we all look forward to him attending North Georgia next Fall!"
...from the Mother of a past participant